Posted on April 26, 2017

WASHINGTON, April 26 —Senate labor committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said the Senate is now poised to confirm Alexander Acosta to serve as Secretary of Labor and “begin creating an environment for workers to succeed in a rapidly changing workplace,” after the Senate today voted to end debate on his nomination and move to a vote.

“We are fortunate to have a presidential nominee for Labor Secretary who understands how a good-paying job is critical to helping workers realize the American dream for themselves and for their families. Alexander Acosta became the first person in his family to go to college and from there has had an impressive career. He’s already been confirmed by the Senate three times for other positions—and I expect that we’ll confirm him a fourth time for his most important position.”

The Senate’s labor committee held a confirmation hearing on March 22 for Alexander Acosta to become the next U.S. Secretary of Labor. The committee favorably reported out Mr. Acosta’s nomination on March 30, and after today’s vote, the full Senate will have an up or down vote on his nomination on Thursday.

Acosta has previously served in three Senate-confirmed positions as a member of the National Labor Relations Board, as an assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. He currently serves as dean of the Florida International University’s law school.